Seton Hall athletics photo

Nick DiPillo, who spent the last five seasons on the coaching staff at Division I Seton Hall, will take the reins of one of Division III basketball's most success programs. The University of Scranton named him as their new head coach, replacing Trevor Woodruff who became the head coach at Division I Bucknell.

• Prominent women's programs change coaches: George Fox | Tufts
• More moves in Coaching Carousel

The University made the announcement on Wednesday morning.

"We are excited to welcome Nick to The University of Scranton," said Athletic Director Dave Martin in the school's press release.  "Nick has achieved success at every level he has been at while working with some of the most elite basketball players in the country.  Not only does he bring to Scranton what it takes to build upon the rich history of the Lady Royals on the court, but he also possesses the values and energy that will help our student-athletes succeed in the classroom, in the community, and in life."     

DiPillo had been a member of Anthony Bozella's staff at Seton Hall since 2014, first as the Pirates' director of player development and then as an assistant coach the past two seasons. Seton Hall went 94-66 over that period with NCAA Division I tournament appearances in 2015 and 2016. The Pirates went 16-16 and 15-16 the past two seasons. Scranton's release notes that DiPillo helped Seton Hall recruit an incoming class ranked in the top 30 nationally during his tenure there.

Prior to that DiPillo spent four seasons as the camp director at the Monroe Sports Center in Monroe, N.J. and four seasons as an assistant coach for the WNBA's New York Liberty. DiPillo also coached for two seasons at Kean University from 2003 to 2005.

""I am extremely excited for the opportunity to continue the winning tradition which has been long-established here at the University of Scranton," said DiPillo in the release.  "During my brief time on campus, it's clear that The University of Scranton's ability to offer high-level academics and a culture of excellence both on and off of the basketball court as a Catholic and Jesuit university and through The Royal Way program, make this an opportunity I could not pass up."

DiPillo takes over a Lady Royals program that reached its 10th NCAA Tournament national semifinal and won its 100th Tournament game when it defeated Tufts in March. The Lady Royals should return a potent lineup that includes All-American and Mid-Atlantic Region Player of the Year Makenzie Mason and Landmark Conference Defensive Player of the Year Emily Sheehan.